Coping to Excelling

Jennifer Allen's introduction to Asperger's syndrome presents both useful information and practical solutions for parents and educators. Allen, the mother of a son with Asperger's, shares her experiences and those of other parents and kids, along with adults living with the condition. Allen's son, Sam, speaks for himself, although his image sometimes appears in animated form—in part because social awkwardness is a symptom of the condition (the program also features re-enactments in which Sam plays himself). As Sam notes, his brain is wired differently, so he's bound to seem different no matter how hard he tries to fit in. Coping to Excelling also features author Temple Grandin, who defines the differences between high-functioning autism and Asperger's, which affects men four times more often than women (clips from the HBO biopic about Grandin—who has Asperger's—provide some insight into her pictorial thought process). Asperger's is usually not diagnosed early; in most cases, it takes a few years for parents to notice their children experiencing socialization difficulties, since they may seem typical in other respects. Other symptoms include resistance to change, an intense focus on one subject, and sensitivity to external stimuli. Allen says that Sam has benefited from behavioral therapy and medication for ADHD-like symptoms, but what works for one patient might not work for another. An informative guide, this is recommended. Aud: E, I, J, P. (K. Fennessy)